Charles Gough followed a very similar career path to his younger brother Hugh. They were both multiple VC winners and Charles's son John also won a VC in 1903. Both brothers served in Hodson's Horse before it was split into three regiments and both left at the time of Hodson's death in March 1858. They were very valuable officers to the regiment but their time there was very short compared to their distinguished careers in other cavalry units. The youthful picture of Charles shows him c1850 in the uniform of the 8th Bengal Light Cavalry. The hussar style jacket is French grey with orange facings and silver braid.
His four citations were all for bravery during the Indian Mutiny 1857-58:
At Khurkowdah on 15 Aug 1857 he rescued his wounded brother, Hugh, and killed two of his attackers.
On 18 Aug 1857 he led a charge of a Troop of the Guides Cavalry and cut down two men, with one of whom he had a hand-to-hand combat.
At Shumshabad on 27 Jan 1858 he was in a charge and confronted the enemy leader. He pierced him with his sword but it came out of his hand and he carried on, using his revolver, shooting two more men.
At Meangunge, on 23 Feb 1858, he came to the help of brevet-Major O H St George Anson and killed the attacker, then killing another man who threatened them.
1832 28th Jan. Born at Chittagong, India
1848 20th Mar. Cornet, 8th Bengal Light Cavalry
1848-9 Second Sikh War.
1848 9th Nov. Ramnaggur, Passage of the Chenab, Sadulapur
1849 13th Jan. Chillianwallah
1849 21 Feb. Goojerat
1857-8 Indian Mutiny joined the 5th Bengal European Cavalry
1857 Sept. With Corps of Guides at siege of Delhi
1857 15th Aug. first citation for VC at Khurkowdah
1857 18th Aug. second citation for VC
1857 6th Dec. Joined Hodson's Horse (promotion to Capt.)
1858 27th Jan. third citation for VC
1858 23rd Feb. fourth citation for VC at Meangunge
1858 March. Left Hodson's Horse for 19th Hussars
1864 Command of 5th Bengal Cavalry
1864-5 Bhutan Expedition
1878-80 Afghan War
1879 Commanded a Brigade
1880 22nd Feb. KCB
1881 Command of Hyderabad Contingent
1886-90 1st Class District in Bengal
1894 1st April. Promoted to General
1895 25th May. GCB
1897 Publication of his book The Sikhs and the Sikh Wars
1912 6th Sept. Died aged 80 at Clonmel, Tipperary in Ireland
